[ECOLOG-L] Sustainable agriculture, local food system AmeriCorps position in Western Maryland

[Daniel A Fiscus]

Dear Ecolog folks,


Below is a description of an open AmeriCorps position we have with Frostburg 
Grows and the Western Maryland Food Council. We have an amazing sustainable 
agriculture demonstration and training center on a former coal mine and are in 
year six of a great project that is a "system of solutions" integrating 
community gardens, composting, solar energy, local food and more. If you know 
anyone interested, or can share with your networks, thanks for any help to 
spread the word on this great opportunity!

Best wishes,

Dan

Dan Fiscus
Frostburg Grows
Western Maryland Food Council
106 Compton
Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD 21532
240-522-4243 (cell)

http://www.wmdfoodcouncil.com/
http://www.frostburggrows.com
https://www.facebook.com/FrostburgGrows/


Frostburg Grows seeks an AmeriCorps member (ACM)!   Apply by Aug. 21, 2017

Full Time AmeriCorps position serving with Frostburg Grows will serve under the 
supervision of the Frostburg Grows Director and involve a variety of tasks 
associated with the provision of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables to 
emergency food agencies including the Frostburg Summer Lunchbox program, the 
Food Pantry and the Food Bank.  The ACM will also assist with tracking of data 
related to the number of individuals receiving emergency food. The ACM will 
also assist with providing training, education, knowledge, skills and referrals 
to help alleviate long-term hunger. The ACM will assist with tracking the 
number of individuals receiving support, services, education and/or referrals 
to alleviate long-term hunger and with developing and providing services via 
our community garden program. The ACM will assist with tracking the number of 
individuals that report increased food security of themselves and their 
children as a result of the activities provided including administration of 
pre- and post-program questionnaires. The ACM will assist with addressing food 
security and long-term hunger via the Western Maryland Food Council, a closely 
allied project with Frostburg Grows.

Additional efforts will include assisting with operation and development of a 
local food production training center, local food system development, and food 
security initiatives, helping to operate and maintain high tunnel greenhouses 
and the composting infrastructure. The position will include plant propagation 
and harvest, record keeping and monitoring, and periodic involvement in 
composting operations to aid soil fertility. Other duties include 
outreach/education on local food, crop planning, recruiting of student and 
community volunteers, and using social media.

Requirements for this position include:

1) Basic knowledge of agriculture, gardening and greenhouses or 
ability/willingness to learn these skills.

2) Ability to do physical work including lifting up to 50 lbs.

3) Creativity in programing and problem solving.

4) Ability to work outside of the normal 8:00 - 4:30 schedule including some 
weekends.

This is a full-time AmeriCorps member (ACM) position. The member will serve a 
total of 1,700 hours over the course of a year (average of 35 hours a week) 
from Sept. 1, 2017 through Aug. 31, 2018. The member will receive a living 
stipend of approx. $12,630 and at the completion of their hours will receive a 
$5,775 Segal education award. Mandatory training for new members will be held 
in late August or early September in Frostburg, MD and the position will begin 
Sept. 1, 2017 (pending final funding). As a participant with the regional 
A-STAR! AmeriCorps program the member will be required to attend mandatory 
trainings throughout the year as well as take part in certain mandatory days of 
service or service events.

The position is in Frostburg, Maryland. The service year begins Sept. 1, 2017.  
To apply online, go to:


https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=7567

After applying online, please send an email, cover letter and your résumé/CV to 
Dan Fiscus at the email address below.

For best consideration applications must be received by Aug. 21, 2017

For more information and to send your application materials contact:

Dan Fiscus: 240-522-4243  
dafis...@frostburg.edu

Visit www.frostburggrows.com

And on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FrostburgGrows/

[ECOLOG-L] Frostburg Grows AmeriCorps position - deadline extended - food system development

[Daniel A Fiscus]

Hello,

Thanks for any help to share this opportunity with a new application deadline:

Frostburg Grows seeks an AmeriCorps member (ACM)!   Applications must be 
received by Aug. 25, 2016

This position will work under the supervision of the Frostburg Grows Director 
and involve a variety of tasks associated with the provision of locally grown 
fresh fruits and vegetables to emergency food agencies including the Frostburg 
Summer Lunchbox program, the Food Pantry and the Food Bank.  The ACM will also 
assist with tracking the number of individuals receiving emergency food. The 
ACM will also assist with providing training, education, knowledge, skills and 
referrals to help alleviate long-term hunger. The ACM will assist with tracking 
the number of individuals receiving support, services, education and/or 
referrals to alleviate long-term hunger and with developing and providing 
services via our new community garden program. The ACM will assist with 
tracking the number of individuals that report increased food security of 
themselves and their children as a result of the activities provided including 
administration of pre- and post-program questionnaires. The ACM will assist 
with addressing food security and long-term hunger via the Western Maryland 
Food Council, a closely allied project with Frostburg Grows.

Additional efforts will include assisting with operation, maintenance and 
development of a local food production training center, local food system 
development, and food security initiatives, helping to operate and maintain 
high tunnel greenhouses and the composting infrastructure. The position will 
include plant propagation and harvest, record keeping and monitoring, and 
periodic involvement in composting operations to aid soil fertility. Other 
duties include outreach/education on local food, crop planning, recruiting of 
student and community volunteers, and using media to recruit trainees.

Requirements for this position include:
1) Basic knowledge of agriculture, gardening and greenhouses or 
ability/willingness to learn these skills.
2) Ability to do physical work including lifting up to 50 lbs.
3) Creativity in programing and problem solving.
4) Ability to work outside of the normal 8:00 - 4:30 schedule including some 
weekends.

This is a full-time AmeriCorps member (ACM) position. The member will serve a 
total of 1,700 hours over the course of a year (average of 35 hours a week) 
from Sept. 1, 2016 through Aug. 31, 2017. The member will receive a living 
stipend of approx. $12,530 and at the completion of their hours will receive a 
$5,720 segal education award. Mandatory training for new members will be held 
in late August or early September in Frostburg and the position will begin 
Sept. 1, 2016 (pending final funding). As a participant with the regional 
A-STAR! AmeriCorps program the member will be required to attend mandatory 
trainings throughout the year as well as take part in certain mandatory days of 
service or service events.

The position is in Frostburg, Maryland. The service year begins Sept. 1, 2016.  
To apply online, go to:

https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=7567

After applying online, please send an email, cover letter and your résumé/CV to 
both Corey Armstrong and Dan Fiscus at their email addresses below.

Applications must be received by Aug. 22, 2016

For more information and to send your application materials contact:
Corey Armstrong: 301-687-3136
cbarmstr...@frostburg.edu
Dan Fiscus: 301-687-3136  
dafis...@frostburg.edu

Visit www.frostburggrows.com

And on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FrostburgGrows/

[ECOLOG-L] Frostburg Grows AmeriCorps position in food security, food system development

[Daniel A Fiscus]

Hello,

Thanks for any help to share this opportunity:

Frostburg Grows seeks an AmeriCorps member (ACM)!   Applications must be 
received by Aug. 22, 2016

This position will work under the supervision of the Frostburg Grows Director 
and involve a variety of tasks associated with the provision of locally grown 
fresh fruits and vegetables to emergency food agencies including the Frostburg 
Summer Lunchbox program, the Food Pantry and the Food Bank.  The ACM will also 
assist with tracking the number of individuals receiving emergency food. The 
ACM will also assist with providing training, education, knowledge, skills and 
referrals to help alleviate long-term hunger. The ACM will assist with tracking 
the number of individuals receiving support, services, education and/or 
referrals to alleviate long-term hunger and with developing and providing 
services via our new community garden program. The ACM will assist with 
tracking the number of individuals that report increased food security of 
themselves and their children as a result of the activities provided including 
administration of pre- and post-program questionnaires. The ACM will assist 
with addressing food security and long-term hunger via the Western Maryland 
Food Council, a closely allied project with Frostburg Grows.

Additional efforts will include assisting with operation, maintenance and 
development of a local food production training center, local food system 
development, and food security initiatives, helping to operate and maintain 
high tunnel greenhouses and the composting infrastructure. The position will 
include plant propagation and harvest, record keeping and monitoring, and 
periodic involvement in composting operations to aid soil fertility. Other 
duties include outreach/education on local food, crop planning, recruiting of 
student and community volunteers, and using media to recruit trainees.

Requirements for this position include:
1) Basic knowledge of agriculture, gardening and greenhouses or 
ability/willingness to learn these skills.
2) Ability to do physical work including lifting up to 50 lbs.
3) Creativity in programing and problem solving.
4) Ability to work outside of the normal 8:00 - 4:30 schedule including some 
weekends.

This is a full-time AmeriCorps member (ACM) position. The member will serve a 
total of 1,700 hours over the course of a year (average of 35 hours a week) 
from Sept. 1, 2016 through Aug. 31, 2017. The member will receive a living 
stipend of approx. $12,530 and at the completion of their hours will receive a 
$5,720 segal education award. Mandatory training for new members will be held 
in late August or early September in Frostburg and the position will begin 
Sept. 1, 2016 (pending final funding). As a participant with the regional 
A-STAR! AmeriCorps program the member will be required to attend mandatory 
trainings throughout the year as well as take part in certain mandatory days of 
service or service events.

The position is in Frostburg, Maryland. The service year begins Sept. 1, 2016.  
To apply online, go to:

https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=7567

After applying online, please send an email, cover letter and your résumé/CV to 
both Corey Armstrong and Dan Fiscus at their email addresses below.

Applications must be received by Aug. 22, 2016

For more information and to send your application materials contact:
Corey Armstrong: 301-687-3136
cbarmstr...@frostburg.edu
Dan Fiscus: 301-687-3136  
dafis...@frostburg.edu

Visit www.frostburggrows.com

And on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FrostburgGrows/

[ECOLOG-L] Frostburg Grows seeks a VISTA member

[Daniel A Fiscus]

Frostburg Grows seeks a VISTA member!   Applications must be received by July 
24, 2016

Frostburg Grows, a project of Western Maryland Resource Conservation and 
Development Council, with assistance from University of Maryland Extension and 
Frostburg State University (FSU), started in 2012 with funding from EPA, 
American Rivers, Appalachian Regional Commission and others. We have built 6 
large high tunnel greenhouses, a native tree nursery, a composting facility, 
and solar energy and rain water collection systems on a former coal mine. We do 
local food system development and food security work including food production 
and grower training in the high tunnels, which are important in Western 
Maryland for extending the fruit and vegetable growing season. We run hands-on 
workshops teaching how to build and operate high tunnels, growing and marketing 
food. Our composting operation, with the City of Frostburg and the Allegany 
County Solid Waste Management Board, saves the City money, keeps organic matter 
out of the landfill, and provides a valuable soil amendment for our food 
production. Because of the degraded mine site, we do not use the soil on site 
and instead grow in raised beds using imported soil and our own compost. Our 
collaboration with FSU includes service learning with the local AmeriCorps 
group, ASTAR! in Western Maryland. We provide food to the Frostburg Food 
Pantry, the Summer Lunch Box Program and the Western MD Food Bank and actively 
help address food deserts and hunger in our area. We are partners in the 
Western MD Food Council and allied projects. We see Frostburg Grows as a 
successful and inspiring model for what can be done on former coal mine land in 
Appalachia, and how integrated sustainable development focused on food can 
create jobs, improve human health, improve environmental quality and build 
community.

Member Duties: The VISTA member will assist with two major efforts:  1) To help 
with strategic planning, organizational development, refining our business 
model, contacts management, communications, volunteer coordination and securing 
funding to institutionalize and help make Frostburg Grows a permanent and 
financially self-sustaining operation and organization. And 2) to help with 
efforts to publish and create written, web and video products, as well as 
workshops, tours, webinars and site visits, able to share and teach the 
Frostburg Grows story, innovations, design and practices with others interested 
in similar sustainable economic and food system development in Appalachia, coal 
communities, and related areas.

The position is in Frostburg, Maryland. The service year begins Aug. 22, 2016.  
To apply online, go to:

https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=68402=true



After applying online, please send an email, cover letter and your résumé/CV to 
both Corey Armstrong and Dan Fiscus at their email addresses below.

Applications must be received by July 24, 2016

For more information and to send your application materials contact:

Corey Armstrong: 301-687-3136 
cbarmstr...@frostburg.edu
Dan Fiscus: 301-687-3136  dafis...@frostburg.edu
Visit www.frostburggrows.com
And on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FrostburgGrows/

More info on this position:

VISTA Program Benefits: Living Allowance, Training , Stipend , Choice of 
Education Award or End of Service Stipend , Education award upon successful 
completion of service , Health Coverage*, Relocation Allowance.
*For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit 
http://www.vistacampus.gov/healthcare

Terms: Permits attendance at school during off hours; car recommended; permits 
working at another job during off hours .

Service Areas:  Community and Economic Development; Environment .

Skills that are helpful:
Recruitment, Communications, Local Food System, Public Speaking, Public Health, 
Non-Profit Management, Business/Entrepreneur, Teaching/Tutoring, Veterans, Fund 
raising/Grant Writing,  Leadership,  Community Organization,  Education,  Team 
Work,  Environment,  Writing/Editing.

[ECOLOG-L] Deadline extended: sustainable ag, sustainable development AmeriCorps

[Daniel A Fiscus]

Dear Folks,


The application deadline for the AmeriCorps position below has been extended. 
Please help spread the word on this excellent opportunity in applied ecology 
and sustainability.



Thanks,



Dan

Dan Fiscus
FSU and Frostburg Grows
106 Compton
Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD 21532
301-687-3136 (office)
240-522-4243 (cell)



FROSTBURG GROWS is looking for an AmeriCorps Member!

Frostburg Grows is an innovative local food production, sustainable agriculture 
training center, composting operation, native tree nursery, renewable energy, 
and sustainable development project built and operating on a former coal mine 
site in Frostburg, Maryland, USA.

Note: The availability of this position is contingent upon funding.

This is a full-time AmeriCorps position with a one year contract. The member 
will serve a total of 1,700 hours over the course of a year (average of 35 
hours a week). The member will receive a living stipend of approx. $12,530 and 
at the completion of the service hours will receive a $5,720 education award. 
Mandatory training for new members will be held in late August or early 
September 2015 in Frostburg, MD and the position will begin September 1, 2015 
(pending final funding). As a member of the A-STAR! AmeriCorps program the 
member will be required to attend mandatory trainings throughout the year as 
well as take part in certain mandatory days of service or service events.

Major duties will be to assist with:
1. Operation and maintenance of high tunnel greenhouses and composting
2. Operation and maintenance of the shade house and tree nursery operations
3. Planning and coordination of volunteer work days and educational events at 
the site
4. Monitoring and data recording for tree seedling and food production and 
other operations
5. Providing education for community members on healthy living linked to 
growing, preparing and eating fresh local fruits and vegetables and 
sustainability

Link to apply to AmeriCorps:  
https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=7567

Contact Dan Fiscus @ dafis...@frostburg.edu or call 301-687-3136 for more info. 
Applications received by Aug. 7, 2015 will be given priority. Two steps to 
apply: 1) Apply online at the AmeriCorps website above, and 2) email a CV and 
letter describing your interests, skills and experience to Dan.

For more information on the award-winning Frostburg Grows project, see:
http://www.frostburggrows.com
http://www.frostburg.edu/aces/frostburg-grows/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Frostburg-Grows/472105046167989?fref=ts

Note: The availability of this position is contingent upon funding.

Funded in part by the Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism and the 
Corporation for National and Community Service

[ECOLOG-L] AmeriCorps position available with sustainable agriculture project

[Daniel A Fiscus]

Dear Ecolog-l,



Please share this AmeriCorps position information with anyone who may be 
interested.



Thanks,



Dan

Dan Fiscus
FSU and Frostburg Grows
106 Compton
Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD 21532
301-687-3136 (office)
240-522-4243 (cell)



FROSTBURG GROWS is looking for an AmeriCorps Member!

Frostburg Grows is an innovative local food production, sustainable agriculture 
training center, composting operation, native tree nursery, renewable energy, 
and sustainable development project built and operating on a former coal mine 
site in Frostburg, Maryland, USA.

Note: The availability of this position is contingent upon funding.

This is a full-time AmeriCorps position with a one year contract. The member 
will serve a total of 1,700 hours over the course of a year (average of 35 
hours a week). The member will receive a living stipend of approx. $12,530 and 
at the completion of the service hours will receive a $5,720 education award. 
Mandatory training for new members will be held in late August or early 
September 2015 in Frostburg, MD and the position will begin September 1, 2015 
(pending final funding). As a member of the A-STAR! AmeriCorps program the 
member will be required to attend mandatory trainings throughout the year as 
well as take part in certain mandatory days of service or service events.

Major duties will be to assist with:
1. Operation and maintenance of high tunnel greenhouses and composting
2. Operation and maintenance of the shade house and tree nursery operations
3. Planning and coordination of volunteer work days and educational events at 
the site
4. Monitoring and data recording for tree seedling and food production and 
other operations
5. Providing education for community members on healthy living linked to 
growing, preparing and eating fresh local fruits and vegetables and 
sustainability

Link to apply to AmeriCorps:  
https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=7567

Contact Dan Fiscus @ dafis...@frostburg.edu or Corey Armstrong @ 
cbarmstr...@frostburg.edumailto:cbarmstr...@frostbur.edu or call 301-687-3136 
for more info. Applications received by July 20, 2015 will be given priority. 
Apply online at the AmeriCorps website above, and email a CV and letter 
describing your interests, skills and experience to Dan or Corey.

For more information on Frostburg Grows, see:
http://www.frostburggrows.com
http://www.frostburg.edu/aces/frostburg-grows/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Frostburg-Grows/472105046167989?fref=ts

Note: The availability of this position is contingent upon funding.

Funded in part by the Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism and the 
Corporation for National and Community Service

[ECOLOG-L] Sustainable Agriculture Training Program - summer 2015

[Daniel A Fiscus]

Dear ecolog-l community,



I write to share information about a summer Sustainable Agriculture Training 
Program, and I ask that you share this with your networks of any folks who may 
be interested.



Our training program is at Frostburg Grows (FG) in Western Maryland USA. FG is 
a grow it local greenhouse project in Frostburg, MD that is a partnership 
between Frostburg State University (FSU), Western Maryland Resource 
Conservation and Development Council, University of Maryland Extension and many 
more groups. We have a full production facility with 6 high tunnel greenhouses 
where we grow vegetables, fruits and herbs. We also demonstrate many 
sustainable practices including collecting rainwater for irrigation, solar 
energy to power irrigation pumps, solar thermal for season extension, 
composting, materials re-use and more. We do this on a former coal mine making 
our methods similar to urban agriculture. For two years we've been offering 
weekend training workshops on high tunnel greenhouse construction and operation.



This year we are offering a much more intensive learning experience. We have 
(4) 2-week long sessions starting May 31 and ending August 15. The experience 
is best suited to those interested to learn about sustainable and innovative 
agriculture, new / beginner farmers, food advocates, educators, 2nd career 
farmers, and natural resource entrepreneurs. The training includes lots of 
hands-on work on our site like planting / harvesting produce, building raised 
beds, trellising plants for vertical growth, designing and running irrigation, 
efficient fertilizing, composting, plus much more. It also includes a section 
on farm and business planning.



We also have speakers on FSU campus including Ag. educators from Allegany and 
Garrett counties, and we will be visiting many farms and food businesses in 
Western Maryland so we can learn (and work at) the many models and examples of 
farming, specialty products, CSA's, and value added enterprises, including 
Savage River Farms, Cedar Rocks Farm, Evergreen Heritage Center, SHiFT 
Restaurant, DeBerry's Farm, Lavender Farms, Backbone Food Farm, and more.



For more information and to register for the training:  
http://www.frostburggrows.comhttp://www.frostburggrows.com/



The training flyer is here: http://www.frostburggrows.com/?media_dl=570



I'd be happy to discuss the program, tuition cost, room and board and any 
details with anyone interested.



If you or anyone you know is interested in sustainable agriculture and helping 
to transform the food system, please check out and share this great, 2-week 
long summer training opportunity in Mountain Maryland! Please help spread the 
word - much appreciated!



Thanks and best wishes,



Dan Fiscus



Dan Fiscus, PhD
FSU and Frostburg Grows
106 Compton
Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD 21532
301-687-3136 (office)
240-522-4243 (cell)

http://www.frostburggrows.com
http://www.frostburg.edu/aces/frostburg-grows/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Frostburg-Grows/472105046167989?fref=ts

[ECOLOG-L] AmeriCorps position with Frostburg Grows in Western Maryland

[Daniel A Fiscus]

Dear Ecolog folks,



Below (in plain text, hopefully) is info on an AmeriCorps position we have 
open at Frostburg Grows for next year in Frostburg, MD. More info on the 
Frostburg Grows project is also below and at the web links listed.



If you can help spread the word, that would be great. If any more info needed, 
please contact me.



Best wishes,


Dan

Dan Fiscus
FSU and Frostburg Grows
106 Compton
Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD 21532
301-687-3136 (office)
240-522-4243 (cell)

http://www.frostburg.edu/lglg/
http://www.frostburg.edu/aces/frostburg-grows/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Frostburg-Grows/472105046167989?fref=ts


FROSTBURG GROWS is looking for an AmeriCorps Member!

Note: The availability of this position is contingent upon funding.

Frostburg Grows is an innovative native tree nursery, local food production 
training center, composting operation and sustainable development project now 
being built on a former coal mine site in Frostburg, Maryland.

This position will work from Frostburg State University under the supervision 
of the Frostburg Grows coordinators and involves a variety of tasks associated 
with the construction and operation of a native tree nursery, local food 
production training center and composting operation. For more information on 
Frostburg Grows, see the web links and video link at the end.

This is a full-time AmeriCorps position. The member will serve a total of 1,700 
hours over the course of a year (average of 35 hours a week). The member will 
receive a living stipend of approx. $12,100 and at the completion of their 
hours will receive a $5,550 segal education award. Mandatory training for new 
members will be held Aug. 25, 2014 in Frostburg and the position will begin 
early September 2014.

Initial duties will include 1) helping to construct high tunnel greenhouses and 
the composting infrastructure and make them operational, 2) operating a native 
tree nursery for plant propagation and harvest, 3) record keeping and 
monitoring, 4) recruiting of student and community volunteers and planning and 
coordination of volunteer work days, 5) periodic involvement in composting 
operations, and 6) operation of various solar energy, heating, cooling and 
lighting systems. Other duties include outreach/education on local food, crop 
and nursery planning, using media to recruit trainees and assistance on grant 
proposals. The member will also provide education for community members on 
sustainability and healthy living linked to growing, preparing and eating fresh 
local fruits and vegetables.

Requirements for this position include:
1) Basic knowledge of trees, tree species and tree identification or 
ability/willingness to learn these skills.
2) Ability to do physical work including lifting up to 50 lbs.
3) Creativity in programming and problem solving.
4) Ability to work outside of the normal 8:00 - 4:30 schedule including some 
weekends.

Link to apply to AmeriCorps:  
http://www.frostburg.edu/sci/civic-engagement/astar-in-western-maryland/

Contact Dan Fiscus (dafis...@frostburg.edu) for more information. Applications 
received by July 25, 2014 will be given priority. Please complete the 
application at the AmeriCorps website above, send a resume or CV, and send a 
cover letter explaining your interests in the position and your relevant 
experience, by email to Dan Fiscus.

For more information on Frostburg Grows, see:

http://www.frostburg.edu/aces/frostburg-grows/ or on Facebook search for 
Frostburg Grows

Our Climate Leadership Award finalist video describes the project well:

http://www.planetforward.org/idea/frostburg-state-university-and-the-frostburg-grows-project

Funded in part by the Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism and the 
Corporation for National and Community Service

[ECOLOG-L] Systems Ecological Perspectives on Sustainability - International conference September 2014

[Daniel A Fiscus]

Forwarding this conference announcement for a colleague.




From: Vihervaara Petteri petteri.viherva...@ymparisto.fi

Subject: VS: Systems Ecological Perspectives on Sustainability - International 
conference September 2014

[Apologies for cross-posting]


Dear all,

Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) will organize The first SYSTEMS ECOLOGICAL 
PERSPECTIVES ON SUSTAINABILITY conference 24-30 September 2014 in Helsinki, 
Finland. The three-day conference will be followed by intensive course 
Introduction to systems ecology by Sven Erik J?rgensen.

Further information and more detailed programme is available at the conference 
web page:
http://www.syke.fi/en-US/SYKE_Info/Communications_material/Events/Systems_ecological_perspectives_to_susta(28135)

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Please send your abstract to petteri.vihervaara @ 
ymparisto.fi and pay the participation fee before registration. Deadline for 
submissions is the end of April 2014.

Please, circulate this announcement to your colleagues and networks who may be 
interested in this conference.

Best wishes and more information from,
Petteri Vihervaara/SYKE

---
Petteri Vihervaara, Adjunct Professor, PhD, Senior Research Scientist and 
Research Programme Manager, Ecosystem Services

Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE)
Natural Environment Centre, Director's Office P.O. Box 111, Yliopistokatu 7 
(Natura), FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
Email: petteri.viherva...@ymparisto.fi /
Mobile: +358 40 5138185, +358 295 251740 / Fax: +358 13 614
www.syke.fihttp://www.syke.fi/

[ECOLOG-L] AmeriCorps position with Frostburg Grows - trees, food, compost and sustainability project

[Daniel A Fiscus]

FROSTBURG GROWS is looking for an AmeriCorps Member!

Frostburg Grows is an innovative native tree nursery, composting operation and 
local food production training center now being built on a former coal mine 
site in Frostburg, Maryland.

This is a full-time AmeriCorps position with a one year contract. The member 
will serve a total of 1,700 hours over the course of a year (average of 35 
hours a week). The member will receive a living stipend of approx. $12,100 and 
at the completion of the service hours will receive a $5,550 education award. 
Mandatory training for new members will be held on August 23th in Frostburg, MD 
and the position will begin early September 2013 (pending final funding). As a 
member of the A-STAR! AmeriCorps program the member will be required to attend 
mandatory trainings throughout the year as well as take part in certain 
mandatory days of service or service events.

This position will work from Frostburg State University under the supervision 
of the Frostburg Grows coordinator and a greenhouse manager and involve a 
variety of tasks associated with the construction and operation of a native 
tree nursery, composting operation and local food production training center. 
For more information on Frostburg Grows, see the web links at the end.

Initial duties will include 1) helping to construct high tunnel greenhouses, 
shade houses and the composting infrastructure and make them operational and 2) 
planning and coordination of volunteer work days and educational events. The 
position will include plant propagation and harvest, record keeping and 
monitoring, periodic involvement in composting operations, and operation of 
solar energy, solar heating and irrigation systems. Other duties include 
outreach/education on local food, crop planning, recruiting of student 
volunteers, using media to recruit trainees and assistance with research.

Requirements for this position include:
1) Basic knowledge of trees, tree species native to Western Maryland and tree 
identification or ability/willingness to learn these skills.
2) Ability to do physical work including lifting up to 50 lbs and ability to do 
basic construction work.
3) Creativity in programming and problem solving.
4) Ability to work outside of the normal 8:00 - 4:30 schedule including some 
weekends.

Link to apply to AmeriCorps: 
https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=7567

Contact Dan Fiscus @ dafis...@frostburg.edu for more information. Applications 
received by Aug. 10, 2013 will be given priority. Please apply online at the 
AmeriCorps website above, and send a CV by email to Dan Fiscus.

For more information on Frostburg Grows, see:
http://www.frostburg.edu/aces/frostburg-grows/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Frostburg-Grows/472105046167989?fref=ts

 
Note: The availability of this position is contingent upon funding.

Funded in part by the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism and the 
Corporation for National and Community Service


Dan Fiscus
Frostburg State University and Frostburg Grows
301-687-4170

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Humans in the definition of ecosystems

[Daniel A Fiscus]

Fabrice,

An interesting and evocative question and dilemma! I should really think on it 
over time and reply in depth...but some thoughts of the top instead...

I agree with other repliers that the definition really does not exclude humans 
per se...unless we focus on the special aspect of your ID of humans as 
special animals. So I think the CBD definition is OK in the broadest sense of 
all animals.

But I also agree that humans are special animals...so what could we change?

My core idea of ecosystem as I remember Tansley to have originally coined it 
mentioned and emphasized reciprocal influence between the abiotic and biotic 
realms. And I think it a reasonable extension to also suggest the definition so 
far includes a sense of a balanced reciprocity...not necessarily equilibrium, 
stasis, homeostasis or simple stability...but still in general a kind of equal 
weighting, value, importance, dominance, or causal driving by the biotic and 
abiotic realms.

If we tried to address what is special about humans as animals, in this context 
of ecosystem as a functional biotic-abiotic unit...what to emphasize?

One option would be to say that when humans enter the integrated functional 
whole of an ecosystem, the relationship is no longer reciprocal or balanced 
between biotic and abiotic realms. This does not necessarily have to mean that 
this change is bad, just that it is different from ecosystems without humans. 
The change would be compatible with the idea of the anthropocene era in which 
humans are the main driving force of change...even geologic, atmospheric, 
biogeochemical, species extinctions, etc. changes...on the planet. Another very 
general analogy would be to say that without humans the organisms and 
communities within ecosystems (biotic) adapt themselves mainly to survival 
needs as defined by abiotic changes, but humans (biotic) adapt (alter) the 
abiotic (and biotic) environment to our own needs. This is grossly 
general...and not even a clearly separable difference between humans and other 
species, especially those studied as ecosystem engineers, but it is a rough 
start.

So...a revised approach would be to leave the definition of ecosystem as it is 
(or one of the other classic or widely used versions by Odum and others), but 
to add some modifier to another term or type of ecosystem and define that one 
differently. This might be coupled human-natural ecosystems or 
human-dominated ecosystems or human ecosystems or ecosystems with humans.

But I think you open a can of worms that has to remain fuzzy and open-ended, 
because I think it an open question as to whether we humans can continue this 
lopsided relationship and continue to alter the environment to our needs and 
wishes. If the pendulum swings back as we reach the environmental limits of the 
planet, then the old and original ecosystem definition may be fine. If we find 
some way to transcend these planetary limits or boundaries...then we humans 
really are special enough to require an expanded definition of ecosystem.

Some thoughts...would be fun to discuss more...

Dan



-- 
Dan Fiscus
Assistant Professor
Biology Department 
Frostburg State University 
308 Compton Science Center 
Frostburg, MD 21532 USA 
301-687-4170 
dafis...@frostburg.edu



-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news on behalf of Fabrice De 
Clerck
Sent: Fri 6/25/2010 11:20 AM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Humans in the definition of ecosystems
 
Dear Friends,

An environmental economist colleague of mine is disappointed with the CBD 
definition of ecosystems which gives the impression that only pristine areas 
are ecosystems. Can anyone point us to a more recent definition of ecosystems 
that explicitly includes humans as an integral part of the definition?

Here is the original question:

The CBD defines ecosystems as a dynamic complex of plant, animal and 
micro-organism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a 
functional unit.

I find this boring, as it leaves us humans, as special animals, out of the 
picture. When you read it, it is easy to think of pristine environments. Has 
there been any reaction or correction of this definition? I need an 
authoritative quote that balances the CBD´s

All reactions welcome, and citations welcome!

Fabrice

Fabrice DeClerck PhD
Community and Landscape Ecologist
Division of Research and Development
CATIE 7170, Turrialba, Costa Rica 30501
(506) 2558-2596
fadecle...@catie.ac.cr

Adjunct Research Scholar
Tropical Agriculture Programs
The Earth Institute at Columbia University

Re: [ECOLOG-L] ESA Position Statement: Value of Ecosystems Should Figure in Economic Decisions

[Daniel A Fiscus]

Thanks to all involved in this debate! To Brian Czech and CASSE,
to ESA and others on ecolog-l. A very important discussion!
 
Thanks also to Heather Reynolds, who wrote this, which I agree seems
very much at the core of the issue:
 
 Eminent ecological economist Herman Daly observes (and I 
 paraphrase here) that building the modern economy around the idea of 
 growth is at least partly a ploy to avoid facing up to the problem 
 of sharing. He notes: If you don't continue to grow and you still 
 have poverty, then you have to redistribute.
 
I think this fits in with the efforts of Brian and CASSE to clarify 
that growth applies to any economy taken as a whole. Perhaps if 
folks used the term net growth it might help to allow for growth in
some sectors as long as equal shrinkage or decrease in material
throughput occurred elsewhere to offset. Thus steady state 
economy results for any economy as a whole.
 
It seems to me the problem of sharing as Heather notes is so
deep as to be perhaps subliminal or sub-consciously below the
level of normal discourse. To suggest an equal or perhaps greater
importance of sharing and cooperation could challenge not only
neoclassical economics, but also the mainstream of evolutionary
biology. These two now are mutually reinforcing in their value
of competition between individuals as the best (perhaps only?)
reliable or objective means to improvement in quality of life over 
time, development that aids both the individual and the greater 
good.
 
I think the ESA statement has some very powerful and profound
aspects, even though I agree it seems to stop just short of the
full subversion of the dominant cultural paradigm that is likely at
the root of our environmental problems. For example, phrases
like:
 
Human wellbeing depends on numerous forms of wealth.
 
Humanity as a whole will not necessarily be richer.
 
are powerful in suggesting a value system that applies to all 
humanity as the appropriate scale for this debate. To me such 
language is sign that the environmental and social globalization
movements are starting to catch up to the economic form of
globalization. I also think this planetary scale for discourse and
value judgements fits with the original CASSE ideas that we 
admit that the era and emphasis on growth should end - net 
growth, at the planetary scale, as function of population times
resource use. For this to happen, if developing nations are to
grow in materials use, we in the U.S. will have to do with less. 
Seems fair to me. Especially as part of a new story or cultural
paradigm in which cooperation and mutualism are elevated to
higher standards as key organizing principles in both life and 
economics.
 
Thanks again,
 
Dan
 
 
-- 
Dan Fiscus
Assistant Professor
Biology Department 
Frostburg State University 
308 Compton Science Center 
Frostburg, MD 21532 USA 
301-687-4170 
dafis...@frostburg.edu



From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news on behalf of Heather 
Reynolds
Sent: Mon 7/27/2009 11:12 AM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] ESA Position Statement: Value of Ecosystems Should 
Figure in Economic Decisions



An unfortunate typo in my last post that should be apparent. The typo 
is corrected in CAPS below:

The onus is put on DEVELOPED countries to lead the way towards steady 
state.

Heather Reynolds
Associate Professor
Department of Biology
Jordan Hall 142
Indiana University
1001 E 3rd Street
Bloomington IN 47405

Ph: (812) 855-0792
Fax: (812) 855-6705
hlrey...@indiana.edu

On Jul 27, 2009, at 10:09 AM, Heather Reynolds wrote:

 I think there was a lot more room for a less bad tasting, perhaps 
 even palatable, compromise had the process been more inclusive.

 There is a difference, for example, between an explicit 'no-growth' 
 position and a position that advocates the impossible, 'sustainable 
 growth.'  'Even 'steady-state' has a different ring than 'no-
 growth'.  Unfortunately, ESA has thus far consistently refrained 
 from bringing anyone from the steady-state growth group that 
 originally proposed the position statement to the table, so there 
 was little hope of thoroughly debating the issues and coming to any 
 kind of consensus position.

 The important thing in my mind was for ESA to avoid being used as 
 one more excuse for continuing the status quo. It seems as if people 
 are unaware of just how precarious our situation is with regard to 
 exceeding resource/green infrastructure limits. And the developing 
 world is, and will continue to, bear the brunt.

 ESA has an opportunity to send a wake up call. Ecologists should 
 operate from ecological first principles. I'm not saying that means 
 we don't have consider political realities, but refusing to 
 compromise on our ecological first principles would open up the door 
 to alternative political positions.  One of ESA's biggest fears is 
 that acknowledging that economic growth is unsustainable amounts to 
 the 

Re: [ECOLOG-L] Natural systems

[Daniel A Fiscus]

Brian, Adam and all,
 
Another angle I like to consider is that we could treat natural
and human nature and naturalness of humans all as flexible
and open to our creative and participatory input and action. 
One quick citation for this approach is the book by Wes 
Jackson - Becoming Native to this Place. Rather than treat
natural as a static, objective, absolute, immutable term and
reality, we can decide, assert, agree and act to make ourselves
natural, as well as what that means to us. Many of us are not
native to this place (Wes Jackson in Kansas or myself in 
Western Maryland) yet following Jackson's lead we could 
make a different reality - we could become native, or become
natural, a natural part of the local environment, community,
ecosystem able to co-exist with other species, self-sustain
over the long-term and maybe even do more good than harm.
 
I think it is a good question and topic of discussion, and even
if messy, confusing or difficult still worth wrestling with. If it
points to deep issues like paradigmatic stances of objectivist
versus participatory human-nature relations, and lets people 
consider the implications, then it seems to have real value.
 
A few rough thoughts on this...a topic I have also ponder all
through grad. school and after...
 
Dan Fiscus
 
 
 
 
 
-- 
Dan Fiscus
Assistant Professor
Biology Department 
Frostburg State University 
308 Compton Science Center 
Frostburg, MD 21532 USA 
301-687-4170 
dafis...@frostburg.edu



From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news on behalf of Czech, 
Brian
Sent: Sat 3/7/2009 5:09 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Natural systems



It's true that natural is just semantics in some contexts, but defining the 
term can affect the way our public lands are managed.  See for example the 
Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health Policy of the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service.  Here is one proposal for a frame of reference for 
natural conditions:



http://steadystate.org/Chronological_Frame_of_Reference_for_Ecological_Integrity.pdf
 
http://steadystate.org/Chronological_Frame_of_Reference_for_Ecological_Integrity.pdf




Brian Czech, Visiting Professor
Natural Resources Program
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
National Capital Region, Northern Virginia Center
7054 Haycock Road, Room 411
Falls Church, Virginia 22043



From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news on behalf of Steve Kunz
Sent: Fri 2009-03-06 10:24
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Climate change and Agroecosystems



In the case of human mammals, there is something unique about our  place in
the world.  We have the intelligence to control our environment  on a large
scale.  Our control of otherwise natural systems can throw  them out of
balance, or at least, into a new balance.  In an extreme case,  this intelligent
control can completely wipe out most if not all of our own  species and most
others (think: nuclear war).  The planet doesn't care if  this happens, and some
species will survive and help start things over.  Is  the result natural or
unnatural?  At that point, it's just semantics  anyway.

Peace!

Steve Kunz




In a message dated 3/5/2009 6:08:37 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
atom.fuller...@gmail.com writes:

I'm a  grad student who reads the list-serve to look for job opportunities,
but  these threads on agroecosystems and climate change bring up a question  I
have never really gotten a satisfactory answer to, namely: Are humans to  be
considered a part of the natural world?  On the one hand, humans  are clearly
a species of mammal living on the planet.  Science in  general follows the
Copernican Principle: don't assume there is anything  particularly unique
about your place in the world.  I doubt many of  you would consider us to
have been specifically placed on the planet and  set apart from other forms
of life.  And yet, when it comes to the  things humans do, a clear
distinction is made between human causes and  natural ones, human modified
ecosystems and wild ones.  And it is  definitely useful to make distictions
between human effects and natural  ones when studying many ecosystems-I've
certainly done it in my own  research.

So why is this true?  How can natural humans cause  unnatural effects (or is
one assumption false, despite both seeming  reasonable)? Can only humans harm
the environment?  What's the  difference between an invasive species being
introduced to an island by  humans, or the same one arriving on the foot of a
bird?  What does  harming the environment mean, anyway?  Somewhat like the
two  perspectives above, I have seen it defined as: (A) changing the
environment  from it's original natural or pre-human state (which natural
state? how do  you define your baseline?), and (B) Making the environment
less capable of  supporting human life (supporting human life now or
indefinietely?  at 

Re: Population, Consumption, Economic Growth, ESA policy statement

[Daniel A Fiscus]

I'd like to second Ashwani's comment from the email below:

I really do think Jared Diamond's basic point is, if we want to take a
honest crack at solving carrying capacity issues, we need to be
looking in our own homes first.  If that's true, I agree with him.
=20
And I'd like to extend this basic principle to ESA and suggest
that as we develop a policy statement on economic growth
we include a strong and clear section derived from=20
self-reflexive and self-critical understanding of our own role=20
in perpetuating the problematic growth paradigm. ESA is one
home that we need to look to first for both understanding the
root cause of our current ecological crisis and finding the=20
solution. In ESA, as in likely most of our individual homes,
universities, agencies, offices, organizations, corporations,
including my own, the growth paradigm is present in almost
every thought and action. We talk, plan and act to grow our
membership, to grow our journals and publications, to=20
increase our funding, to increase our power and influence,
to increase our material research capacities, to increase=20
our data and monitoring systems, etc. etc. Caught up in this
same cultural mindset, I work to increase my publications,
research projects, grants, students, income, retirement funds,
etc. It is all about growth and increase, and this systemic
fundamentalist goal becomes the basis for rationalizing all
manner of consumption, waste, rushing, short-cuts, lack of
full accounting, short-term thinking, competitive anxiety, etc.
We rationalize and compare to other sectors and say that
we must compete and grow or else the non-ecological or
non-science or various other sectors will get the upper=20
hand. We criticize agriculture and energy and transportation
and housing and cities and planning and every other sector.
But we are just as consumptive and just as growth oriented.
=20
Stephen Covey of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People=20
fame wrote (paraphrased if not verbatim) Any time I think=20
the problem is 'out there', that thought is the problem.
=20
We could make ESA a microcosm of the sustainable=20
future. We could look inward and solve the climate, growth,
and other environmental crises at home first, and then lead
by example. Solving the problem in-house is likely the=20
harder part! This could be another reason we like to spend
more time looking outward and elsewhere. Even admitting
this does not make it easy - it is still wicked hard to go
against the great rushing torrent of the mainstream. For
this issue of scale I think we need to look for strength in=20
numbers and in positive feedback - I think we need to find
ways to convert to the non-growth, (dynamic) steady state,=20
descent path as whole communities and networks and as
networks with full circles including social functions like=20
funders, researchers, publishers, educators, government.
These kinds of social trophic groups form full circles to
fund, conceive research, carry out, test results, report,=20
publish, promulgate and educate, apply and implement=20
technology, policy and management relative to ecological=20
knowledge. If ESA alone tried to change paradigms away=20
from growth, we might get swept away by all these other=20
partners if they did not join in our 180 degree course=20
correction. But if a set of partners from all of these sectors=20
could change in concert, we could run the entire enterprise=20
in a new way.
=20
One last thought is that if we see ourselves as caught
in a vicious cycle and find ourselves thinking I can't
change the system, it may help to try to band together
to re-wire or re-route our social networks into new=20
cycles - like a glorious cycle, or a soft landing cycle=20
or some other such beneficial type of collective=20
self-reinforcing culture, mindset and action plan.

Maybe...some dreaming out loud, on the eve of
Martin Luther King day. I could be off, but it's some
honest 2 cents worth of rough ideas and hopefully
good intentions...
=20
Dan Fiscus, still unsustainable after all these years
=20
=20


From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news on behalf of =
Ashwani Vasishth
Sent: Sun 1/20/2008 7:05 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Re: Population, Consumption and Economic Growth



Ganter, Philip F. wrote:
 I am always confused by the message in stating the inequality between =
consumption between the developed and developing economies.=20
 =20
Whether one goes to Ehrlich  Commoner's I=3DP*A*T or to Robert Kates'
Population, Technology and the Human Environment: A Thread Through
Time, I think the basic point of such stories is to emphasize that
population is only a part (some of us would say a relatively small part)
of the carrying capacity plot line.

As a Third Worlder, from India, whenever I hear the population drum
being beaten, I flash to the idea of there go those over-breeding
heathen.  Thing is, I'm really, really glad the Ehrlichs wrote The
Population